Back pain - schoolbags

Around 70 per cent of Australian schoolchildren may be damaging their spines by carrying schoolbags. For example, a heavy bag that’s slung over one shoulder can, over the 12 years of schooling, cause chronic back problems that linger into adulthood. Risks include muscle strain, distortion of the natural ‘S’ curve of the spine and rounding of the shoulders. Parents can reduce the risk in many ways, such as buying the child an appropriately sized backpack and making sure the load isn’t too heavy.

Schoolbag risk factors
Risk factors for spinal damage include:

• A schoolbag that weighs more than 10 per cent of the child’s weight
• Holding the bag in one hand by its straps
• Carrying the bag over one shoulder
• An incorrectly packed backpack
• An incorrectly fitted backpack.

Australian study into backpacks
A recent study published in the Australian Spine journal investigated the link between backpacks and back pain in schoolchildren. Selected statistics include:

• The weight of the average backpack is heavier, proportionally, than the legal load-bearing limit for adults.
• 79.1 per cent of children say their backpacks feel heavy.
• 65.7 per cent report feeling fatigued by the weight of their backpack.
• 46.1 per cent report back pain caused by their backpack.

Ways to reduce the risk
Risk reduction strategies include:

• Buy the right kind of backpack.
• Make sure it is packed correctly.
• Show your child correct lifting and carrying techniques.

Buy the right kind of backpack
Your child should have a backpack, rather than a traditional schoolbag with handles. Suggestions include:

• Look for a backpack endorsed by an Australian professional organisation, such as the Australian Physiotherapy Association or the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia.
• Don’t try to save money by buying the biggest backpack you can find – make sure the backpack is appropriate to your child’s size.
• Choose a backpack with a moulded frame and/or adjustable hip strap, so that the weight of the filled backpack will rest on your child’s pelvis instead of their shoulders and spine.
• The shoulder straps should be adjustable, and the rear of the backpack padded for comfort.
• To help with packing, the backpack should have a few separate compartments.
• Canvas backpacks are lighter than leather varieties.
• Consider buying a backpack with built-in wheels.
• Children are fashion conscious and vulnerable to peer pressure, so make sure you take your child with you when buying their backpack. If the style you choose is ‘uncool’, your child may compensate by carrying the backpack in a ‘cool’ way, such as over one shoulder.